From a very young age, it is drilled into use that water is the most precious thing on earth and without it, all things – including us – would perish. This, of course, is true. However, even though pretty much everything on this planet requires water to survive, that doesn’t mean that the water you drink is necessarily ‘healthy’. Sure, it will keep you alive, but are you aware of the real truth about water – particularly the sort that flows from your faucet?

No?

I didn’t think so. Don’t worry, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Most people don’t have a clue about the reality of tap water and what they’re really putting into their body every time that gulp down a nice, crisp and refreshing glass of H2O.

I’m guessing you’re now thinking something along the lines of ‘What is he talking about? How can water not be healthy? What can possibly be in it?’.

Let me run a few words by you to see if you can guess what they all have in common…

– Chlorine.
– Trihalomethanes.
– Fluorine.
– Hormones.
– Pesticides.

Any idea?

Believe it or not, they are commonly found in unfiltered water that comes from your faucet. But it’s not just limited to the above five substances. There are far, far more contaminants lurking in the H20 running from your taps.

Wait a second; I thought tap water was clean?

Sadly not. I know that may come as a surprise to some, but the see-through liquid that emanates from your tap really isn’t as clean as is made out, nor as clean as the majority of people think it is. Just think about it for a second. It runs through mile after mile of pipelines, coming into contact with contaminants (such as pesticides and industrial waste) along the way, before being ‘cleaned’ with (what science has shown to be possibly carcinogenic) chemicals such as chlorine, fluoride and chloramines. Sadly, all water must be treated in this way prior to coming out of a household faucet.

The issue here is the fact that most of us aren’t aware of both the process involved in treating water nor the number and quantities of chemicals used to do so. And what is even more worrying is that the long-term effects of such chemicals still isn’t fully known.

The tap water vs filtered water debate

The tap water vs filtered water argument is a debate that has raged on for many years, and will no doubt carry on indefinitely. With proponents from both camps arguing their cause as to why one type of water bests the other, it can be challenging to ascertain fact from non-fact, and whether opting for filtered H2O really is the way forward in terms of having a positive impact upon your health and well-being.

But it shouldn’t be challenging; nor should there be any real debate. There is a wealth of evidence out there that suggests filtered water contains far less harmful chemicals, contaminants and substances, compared to tap water. Period.

To be blunt, if you want your family to be as healthy as possible, then filtered water is the only way forward. It’s a no-brainer.

Is bottled water a like-for-like replacement for filtered water?

Most definitely not. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that no-one should drink bottled water unless they have absolutely no other option. Why? Well, firstly, the industry is not as regulated as you’d imagine; in fact, there isn’t really much evidence out there that suggests it is any better than tap water. Secondly, it is one of the most wasteful manufacturing processes in existence. It takes three litres of water to produce one litre of bottled water (astounding, I know!). And lastly, tens of millions of barrels of oil are needed to produce the plastic bottles for bottled water; and, to make it worse, nearly 66% of all of those bottles end up either in the ocean or in landfill, contributing to pollution and harm to wildlife on an insane scale.

Which type of filter system should I opt for?

Ultimately, the best-suited filter for your circumstances will typically depend upon two facts: the amount of space you have (and where) and your budget.

To give you a little helping hand in the right direction, here are the three primary types of filter systems currently available on the market:

Under-the-counter: Firmly regarded as the best option. Why? Because they score highest where filtration and removing contaminants is concerned, which is obviously the most critical factor. Also, they’re also hidden away out of sight. The only downside to countertop faucet filters is the initial outlay, which is more than the other two options available.

Countertop: A solid option for those who want to filter their water, but don’t have the budget for an under-the-counter filtration system. Although not as proficient at removing chemicals and contaminant from the water as the aforementioned option, a countertop system will still provide high levels of filtration.

Portable: Although standard portable ‘pitcher’ water filters won’t remove as many contaminants, they do offer a very affordable alternative to the previously mentioned two filters systems. The filter will need to be replaced fairly regularly, so be sure to factor this into your long-term budget.

Which to opt for? Whichever you can afford.

Zero Water vs Brita

One question we are asked quite frequently is the difference between Zero Water and Brita, i.e. which is better. As much as I’d love to discuss the pros and cons of each (and I’d like to that as I enjoy writing!), I think it’d be far more appropriate to hand you over to the experts instead. You’ll not find a better article than this one, I promise you: